Is there any help for those starting a business on benefits

[summer30]

My husband has been unemployed now since October last year, I had a business which I had to close due to not being able to sustain it due to income. Despite myself trying to get part/full time work as well as the business it all went wrong and I have recently had to admit defeat and sign on.

 

However after 9 weeks it is driving me stir crazy, applying for 10 or so jobs a week getting the odd interview but still not getting work I spoke to the job centre about starting a business again, this time not one where a huge stock outlay was required.

 

They said I can work under 16 hours and declare anything i earn so basically be working for the £10 joint allowed amount, but it seems they dont really like you doing it

 

hope this makes sense so far

 

Apparently they've now scrapped the £50 a week for those starting their own business and obviously they had to be unemployed for 6 months anyway.

 

Is there anything I can do to get help to run a business again? I do know we can still get help with housing and council tax if my husband signs on and I dont, but last time one of the nails in the coffin was that the powers that be took my 'turnover' into account not my 'profit' so took £50 a week off the jsa benefit when i was only earning £2,500 for the whole year

 

 

The last 10 months have been such a struggle, being behind with bills etc and I really want to try and turn this around, but it seems thats just too much to ask:!: I looked at working tax credits but im in my 30s and looks like id have to be doing over 30 hours and then its not guaranteed you get it.

 

it feels like a no go at the minute I'm just wondering if there's anything I've missed or dont know about, help appreciated thanks

[MARTIN3030]

Yes there is lots of help for those starting up from being unemployed.

Currently being rolled out nationally,is the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme (NEAS) which offers funding and help including mentors.

You should contact your local Chamber of Trade too.

Some websites to look at are;

www.businesslink.co.uk

for over

50s http://www.primebusinessclub.com/about-2/about-prime/

 

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/employment/self-employment_checklist.htm

 

http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/zones/policy/trade-and-enterprise-campaign/trade-and-enterprise-campaign_1.html

 

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/new-enterprise-allowance/

 

http://www.businesszone.co.uk/

 

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1073858805

Edited June 19, 2011 by MARTIN3030

[summer30]

Thanks for those, Ive not been unemployed long enough but i think theres probably nothing stopping my husband starting it up. The NEAS must be a new version of the one the JC were talking about although it seems it was available in April when they told him it wasnt

[MARTIN3030]

While most JCs knew of it-they didnt know all finer details until after April.

Depends on your area.

For Merseyside it is being done through St.Helens Chamber.

There is info on the BIS website about regions and when it will be offered.

Before you could get the 50 quid self employment credit with new deal- it was paid for 26 weeks.

As far as I know-you still get the free months council tax and housing benefit.

There is also a £100 one off payment from the JC for anything you need-though they dont advertise it.

Worth checking on tax credits too-theres an online calculator you can use for that.

Edited June 19, 2011 by MARTIN3030

[MARTIN3030]

I found the roll out table;

 

 

New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) availability

 

New Enterprise Allowance: January 2011

 

• Merseyside
  

New Enterprise Allowance: April 2011

 

• Birmingham and Solihull
  
• Black Country
  
• Durham and Tees Valley
  
• Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire (Mercia)
  
• Northumberland, Tyne and Wear
  
• South Yorkshire
  

New Enterprise Allowance: May 2011

 

• Cumbria and Lancashire
  
• Devon and Cornwall
  
• Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland
  

New Enterprise Allowance: June 2011

 

• North and Mid Wales
  
• South East Wales
  
• South West Wales
  
• East and South East Scotland
  
• Glasgow, Lanarkshire & East Dunbartonshire
  
• North of Scotland
  
• West of Scotland
  

New Enterprise Allowance: National Rollout August 2011

 

• Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
  
• Derbyshire
  
• East Anglia
  
• East London
  
• Essex
  
• Gloucestershire and West of England
  
• Greater Manchester Central and Cheshire
  
• Greater Manchester East and West
  
• Hampshire and Isle of Wight
  
• Kent
  
• Leicestershire and Northamptonshire
  
• North East Yorkshire and the Humber
  
• North London
  
• South London
  
• Staffordshire and Shropshire
  
• Surrey and Sussex
  
• Thames Valley
  
• Wessex
  
• West London
  
• West Yorkshire
  

[rebel11]

More info:- http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/small-business

[sparkles2010]

Just seen your roll out table for this new grant to start a business, i didnt see central scotland on there?

[summer30]

thank you

[MARTIN3030]

Just seen your roll out table for this new grant to start a business, i didnt see central scotland on there?

 

Have a look here;

 

http://www.employabilityinscotland.com/newenterpriseallowance.aspx